June 22, 2006

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches for schizophrenia

Cognitive behavioral therapy for schizophrenia is an area that has been researched and practiced a great deal outside of the US - and research and reports suggests that it is very affective and should be an important part of a treatment program for everyone who has schizophrenia. Right now these therapy approaches are not yet available in most of the US - but through better education of psychologists and psychiatrists - there is hope for much bettter outcomes.

Following is a story about how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works, and examples of how it is done for schizophrenia. We encourage you to print out the article and share it with any psychiatrists and psychologists that you know.

The story states:

CBT is now recognized as an effective intervention for schizophrenia in clinical guidelines developed in the United States and in Europe. In spite of the evidence base and absence of side effects, however, the general availability of this treatment approach within community settings is still low. This article will examine the procedure of CBT for psychosis, the evidence for its use, and the implications for practicing psychiatrists.

Comments

The Recovery Incorporated system of CBT is quite helpful for people with schizophrenia. See http://www.recovery-inc.org
for information. Groups are available in the USA, Canada and a few other countries.

I am a 4th year psychiatric student nurse at trinity college,Dublin,Ireland.im currently doing a research proposal on CBT for schizophrenia.The aim of of this proposal is to find out how effective CBT is from a service user's perspective as most of the research appears to come from the service provider's perspective.I would be very grateful if you would send me any information you may have on recent research results.Thanking you, Clare Perry.